A New Study on Family-Oriented Work Places

A new study conducted by Harvard and McGill University shows that the US is far behind other wealthy country when it comes to family-oriented workplaces. I know mothers that have been talking about this for quite some time, so the study lends credit to their complaints. Issues that were looked at include maternity leave, breastfeeding, and paid sick days.

You can read the article in its entirety here, but this is some of what they found:

The US is one of five countries out of 173 that do not guarantee some form of paid maternity leave.

145 countries provide paid sick days but the US does not have a federal law providing for these.

65 countires offer fathers a paid paternity leave, which the US does not guarantee.

73 countries pay for breaks that allow mothers to breastfeed. The US does not guarantee the right for a mother to breastfeed at work.

This is a hot topic right now as the legislation is considering regulations that some fear will cut back on unpaid leave to deal with family or medical emergencies. However, Senator Chriss Dodd is planning to propose new legislation that will allow workers to take 6 weeks of family leave, all paid.

As working mothers, we know the importance of working in family-oriented companies. Support this by getting involved. How great would it be if we could catch up with everyone else in regards to family-oriented work places?